Public Policy Intern

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

This is a remote, home-based internship. Full time students from all US geographies will be considered. Our 2026 Summer internship program is an 8-week Paid Internship that runs from June 1st – July 24th, at 37.5 hours weekly. The program will join interns across the country who are supporting different department focuses on American Cancer Society and ACS's Cancer Action Network. 85% of the time will be in working within the given department, with the Intern's manager, their mentor, and the team. The other 15% will be with a cohort of other interns around American Cancer Society and ACS CAN.

The ACS CAN Policy team is hiring an intern for the summer. The Public Policy Internship is an exciting opportunity to work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network – the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. Through its advocacy work at the local, state, and federal level, ACS CAN influences evidence-based public policy change, as well as legislative and regulatory solutions to reduce the cancer burden.

The Public Policy Intern will work directly with the ACS CAN policy team on a wide range of state and federal public policy issues including access to care, cancer research, prevention, screening, and tobacco control. The intern will also have opportunities to work with colleagues from other teams across the enterprise.

We are looking for candidates who are at least a college senior – graduate students strongly preferred – with a keen interest in health policy. Candidates should be able to dedicate at least 35 hours per week for the duration of the internship.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Policy Director, Principals and Senior Analysts in tracking and analyzing key federal and state health care legislative initiatives and policy developments.
• Assisting Policy Principals and Seniors Analysts in the collection of relevant health care data.  
• Developing fact sheets, testimony, infographics, and other materials for use by state and federal advocacy teams and ACS CAN field staff.
• Maintaining and organizing program files, resource materials, and other program information systems; and all other duties, as assigned. 

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong written and oral communications skills are imperative. Candidates should have initiative, be highly organized, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines, and attentive to detail.  Ability to interpret quantitative data and use Canva are a plus.  

Position Requirements:

• Must be available for entirety of 8-week program: June 1st – July 24th, 2026, at 37.5 hours per week.

• Full-time student, if you are an undergraduate student, you have completed your freshman year of college.

• Have a minimum of a B average (cumulative 3.0 on 4.0 scale).

• Plan to continue your education in the following term/semester.

• Upload a resume upon application submission.

• Note: an internship assignment may coincide with your last term/trimester as a full-time student, but the internship must be disengaged upon graduation.

The hourly rate is $18/hour. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS CAN provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.